By Matt Hill
Shakhtar midfielder Fernandinho has revealed his desire to join Manchester City in a bid to boost his World Cup chances with Brazil.
The 28-year-old, who has been capped five times by his country, has pleaded with current club to lower his asking price in order not to deter Manchester City’s interest.
The Ukrainian champions’ manager, Mircea Lucescu, previously claimed that Fernandinho would cost Mancini €50 million – a figure at which FA Cup finalists would balk – but Fernandinho hopes that a move will materialise and says that his team-mates support his decision.
“[My team-mates] all wish me to move on,” Fernandinho told reporters. “They know that the Premier League is a great championship and that Manchester City is a great club, therefore they all wish me to play there and to participate in the division.
“I believe my chances of making the World Cup squad will improve if I join City. My exposure would be better, because Brazil is biased towards the Ukrainian league. What we do here is not recognised in my country.
“Therefore, playing in a division, at a club, that is considered among the best in the world and if I keep performing well, that would help me to be to be taken back to the Brazilian national team.
“There are a lot of people in England with good football knowledge. For that reason, those compliment my skills and motivate me to want to play in a championship like the Premier League.”
